Passenger, 26, Dies in Highway Shooting

Dispute Between Riders Escalates Into Showdown Involving 2 Vehicles on I-295

A man riding in a car on Interstate 295 died yesterday after he was hit by gunfire from another vehicle, D.C. Police said.

Police said the shooting occurred after a dispute between riders in the two cars and continued onto the highway in Southeast Washington, police said, adding that it was not a random act of violence.

Mansoor Awan, 26, of the 1900 block of Trenton Pl. SE was hit about 12:30 a.m. while riding in the back seat of a green Toyota Camry.

Police found Awan in the car, which was hit by many bullets, near the Pennsylvania Avenue SE exit. No one else was hurt, police said.

The Camry's driver, who remained at the scene, was interviewed by police. No arrests have been made.

Witnesses who might have seen a light-colored or white vehicle carrying the gunman were urged to contact police, said Inspector Rodney Parks, head of the homicide unit. Police were trying to determine how many people were riding in the car, Parks said.

"We're looking for the public's help," he said. Anyone with information was urged to call investigators at 202-727-9099.

It was unclear what led to the argument or how many people were involved, Parks said. Detectives were trying to determine if one car followed the other onto the highway, he said.

"We're still working out exactly how it transpired," he said.

The highway was closed for more than three hours yesterday as police recovered shell casings and searched for other evidence.

Staff writer Howard Schneider contributed to this report.